Symptoms: Unfortunately, this week and last I've been bombarded with intense low back pain. It's so, so uncomfortable especially when I've been in one position for awhile. It's making being at work extremely difficult. I've been trying to change positions frequently but even that doesn't alleviate it completely. By far, this has been the worst pregnancy symptom to try and overcome.

I've also had some sciatica in my left leg - which usually affects me most in the evening. Another weird thing that I've had this past week is a really painful right foot. I'm guessing it's from swelling (although I don't see huge amounts of swelling in my feet) but the pain runs over the top of my foot sort of wear it bends when you walk.

And of course of just had the usual uncomfortable feelings that go along with pregnancy- a bit of heartburn/indigestion, lots and lots of trips to the bathroom, braxton hicks contractions, third trimester tiredness, a fullness feeling that only comes with being pregnant, some rib pain - and really just aches and pains in general.

Sleep: Honestly, my sleep has not been great for the last month probably. Between having to pee and just being super, SUPER uncomfortable my sleep has not been very restful. I seem to just be waking up constantly.

Best moment this week: I got our hospital bags all packed and ready to go and did the last few things that we needed to do at home so we're totally ready for him to arrive whenever!

Worst moment this week: I can't think of a specific moment but probably just being uncomfortable (especially with the low back and foot pain) - I hate complaining but it's pretty tiring being in pain all the time.

Miss anything?: Feeling comfortable and sleeping on my tummy (and back for that matter)

Movement: Yes! But movements now are like big rolls and jabs (that almost hurts). I constantly see my tummy moving and looking lopsided.

Have you started to show?: I think it's safe to say (especially from these photos) that I look like I'm ready to go at any moment!

Wedding rings on or off?: On! Oddly, however, I have not been wanting to wear any of my watches (and I'm a watch girl). In fact, I haven't been loving necklaces against my skin either. I guess with the heat and just being uncomfortable I want as little as possible touching me!

Happy or moody most of the time?: Happy mostly but I've also started feeling a bit anxious and scared for the actual labour/delivery part. I don't do well with the unknown so not knowing what I have ahead of me is freaking me out!

Looking forward to: My baby shower! My girlfriend is throwing me one and it's a spa theme - she's even having a spa come to her house! How fun is that!

OMG. How am already 32 weeks along?!? And how have I not posted an update since week 26 - I've actually had a couple of people asking how I was doing so I thought it was about time to provide another update.

How far along?: 8 months, 32 weeks - however you want to say it, that's FAR along. Only 8 weeks until we meet our little man - I seriously can't believe it!Baby is the size of: Squash, as long as a stalk of kale - 2.5 - 3.8 lbs and 15.2 to 16.7 inches long

Maternity Clothes?: Yup - everything that I've been wearing lately has been maternity (apart from cardigans, jean jackets, etc). We've had a ridiculously warm June so I've been sporting all of my Summer shorts and dresses a littler earlier than I had anticipated.Symptoms: Lots of back pain, feet are a bit swollen, needing to pee all. the. time.Sleep: My sleep has definitely taken a hit in the last couple of weeks - between feeling baby move, having to pee, the constant back ache and just generally being uncomfortable, my sleep has definitely not been the most restorative. Just getting me ready for when he's here, I guess!

Best moment this week: Realizing that those super low little jabs were actually hiccups - the cutest thing ever!Worst moment this week: Can't think of a specific moment but probably just the general uncomfortableness that goes alone with being 32 weeks...and the lack of restful sleep.

Have you told family and friends yet?: Everyone knows!Miss anything?: Being able to sleep on my tummy or back and just generally being able to move around easier.Movement: Oh yes - he's definitely an active little guy. The movements have gone more from swift jabs and kicks to full body movements - where I think he's actually rolling around in there. This past week I also experienced him hiccup for the first time. Actually, I had felt those "movements" before but I didn't realize what it was until I read about it - no mistaking it now though.Food cravings: Strawberries, plums, cherries, smoothies, banana bread, Fibre One Bars, chocolate, water - I have found myself to be so thirsty lately.Anything make you queasy or sick?: Bananas - the thought of eating bananas seriously grosses me out but when I made banana bread I couldn't get enough - go figure!Have you started to show? lol - at 8 weeks, yes I definitely look pregnant.

Gender: Baby Boy!Belly button in or out?: Still in but super shallow

Stretch marks?: Happy to report, still none!Wedding rings on or off?: OnHappy or moody most of the time?: Happy, with a few emotional ups and downs thrown in (just to keep my husband on his toes ;))Looking forward to: Our babymoon to Whistler this weekend (actually as this post is being published, we're on our way up there). We're going to spend 3 days relaxing by the pool, eating too much, wandering the village, pure relaxation and enjoying each other's company alone one last time!

How far along?: 26 weeks (actually 27 weeks along as I do these a week behind)

Baby is the size of: Head of lettuce, length of a green onion

Maternity Clothes?: Yup! I've moved all of my non-maternity clothing to the back of my closet now. I have to say, it's been quite nice to just be working with a smaller amount of clothing. The choices are way easier in the morning - lol!

Symptoms: Back pain, some leg cramps, general comfortableness, general aches and pains. I'm also finding it increasingly more difficult to bend down to put my shoes on, get up from the couch and I, unfortunately, think I'm starting the pregnancy "waddle". I also have had a little bit of right hip pain too.

Sleep: If I'm being honest, it hasn't been the greatest this week sleep-wise. I have been extremely uncomfortable in the night and am having a hard time sleeping. Baby boy also seems to think it's party time in the middle of the night too!

Best moment(s) this week:
1) Going to our 26 week doctors appointment and finding out that I'm progressing well and my results came back negative for gestational diabetes (yay!). It also never gets old hearing the little babes heartbeat!

2) Starting our prenatal classes. It was great being in a room of couples entering the very same stage that we're starting. I'm really looking forward to the next five weeks of classes.

Movement: OMG - I feel movement all the time! And especially in the evening and middle of the night. One night I literally was awake off and on all night because he was wiggling, kicking and squirming all night. Then I thought for sure he'd settle down during the day (since he'd been up all night - lol!) but, nope, he just continued his party all day. I also tend to feel him at work when I'm sitting still.

Food cravings: Ice cream, bananas, bagels with cream cheese. I don't seem to have those "gotta have that now" pregnancy cravings though.

Anything make you queasy or sick?: Nope - not this week.

Have you started to show? Haha - yes. No denying it now.

Gender: Boy!

Belly button in or out?: In but super shallow

Wedding rings on or off?: On

Happy or moody most of the time?: Happy but a bit emotional.

Looking forward to: Getting to see him again as we are having another ultrasound this week. I'm measuring a little big so they just want to be sure my dates are correct.

Not sure why, but I've been loving navy lately. Maybe it has to do with my new Kate Spade bag I got for my birthday, but whatever the reason, I've been loving me some navy.

I'm so thankful that the warm weather has finally hit us - I'm hoping that being pregnant and all I won't be too bothered by the heat because that would be a shame to miss out on summer just because you're too uncomfortably warm all the time. C'est la vie, I guess!

How far along?: 25 weeks (I'm actually 26 weeks but I do these a week behind)Baby is the size of: Cauliflower or rutabagaMaternity Clothes?: Yup! Exclusively, apart from jackets and cardigansSymptoms: Oh man - this week was the week my feet decided to swell up. Honestly, I thought my feet would be the last thing to get big and that my Springy flats and sandals would be the perfect thing even if they did get a bit swollen but I'm hear to tell you that not all sandals work with swollen feet and ankles. I had a couple of days this week where my sandals looked as if I had poured myself into them - pretty! :( I can't imagine what the impending hotter weather and bigger belly will do to my poor feet (and my shoe collection!). I also had lots of dizziness and lightheadedness (see my worst moment this week).Sleep: Pretty good still! Apart from needing to pee (only once per night though)Best moment this week: Definitely Mother's Day - not only did my husband spoil me but my stepson made me the sweetest gift at school that I will cherish forever.Worst moment this week: I had a fainting spell on my commute to work one day this week. Seriously, it was horrendously awful. I don't know how I made it to the train bathroom without actually fainting but, let me tell you, everything was going black! I think it was low blood pressure but I'm happy to be seeing my doctor next week to rule out anything more serious.Have you told family and friends yet?: Yup!Miss anything?: Sleeping on my tummy and just the feeling of being comfortable.

Movement: Yup - constantly! The funniest movement moment this week happened during a work meeting. I was sitting in a very serious meeting when all of a sudden baby boy started kicking and punching and my whole belly was moving - lol!Food cravings: Peanut butter and banana toast, DQ Blizzards, grapefruits, Granny Smith applesAnything make you queasy or sick?: Nothing specifically. But I definitely have felt a bit more quesy this week. Especially on the train - almost a bit like motion sickness.Have you started to show? haha - yes, it's obvious now!Gender: Boy!Belly button in or out?: In - but very shallowWedding rings on or off?: On! I'm hoping my hands don't swell up like my feet have.Happy or moody most of the time?: Happy and a bit emotional at times - it was a hard week for my little body and there were a number of moments where I felt completely and totally overwhelmed. But nothing that a good cry, supportive husband and a DQ Blizzard can't fix though!Looking forward to: My 26 week doctor's appointment next week.

There's an unspoken truth to pregnancy that nobody hears about until you're living it. Pregnancy is definitely a miracle and the changes that your body goes through are incredible. And while I'm loving being pregnant those changes that happen to your body are no joke. Each day tends to bring a new symptom and it's been simply incredible getting to watch my body transform. Some days, I feel great! And some days, well, I feel not so great! But I wouldn't change any symptom, challenge, unspoken truth because it's giving me the biggest miracle yet and I couldn't be more excited.

But while all that excitement is happening, I've also felt a sense of longing for my old body back - how I wish I had cherished my body more last Summer - if I had only known that that Summer would be the last Summer I'd have that body, well, I would have enjoyed wearing all those cute non-maternity clothes more, I would have had more fun with styles and trends and not been so uncomfortable in a bathing suit. And while I know I won't be pregnant forever, it's inevitable that some things about your body change after pregnancy forever.

They have to.

And I get it.

But it doesn't make it any easier to let go. Right now, I'm sharing my body and I will be for awhile and I'm MORE than happy with that but, sometimes, it's hard! I just keep telling myself to enjoy this time - it'll be gone before I know it and our little boy will be with us and I'll no longer be pregnant. And while, I'm excited to meet him, I also just want to enjoy every part of my pregnancy - even the hard, annoying, uncomfortable parts. Because, that's just it, all those hard, annoying, uncomfortable parts are part of pregnancy - and I want to experience pregnancy to it's fullest....and not just wish it away.

And while I admit that pregnancy is hard, I also wake up each morning to little kicks and punches. And just in that moment when I feel the uncomfortableness of pregnancy, I feel hims kick, or see my tummy move from the outside or I place my hand on my tummy and feel his tiny little arm or leg punch my hand and it's as if he's letting me know it's all going to be worth it.

Well, it's been a couple of week since my last update and I can't believe how fast time is going by. It's hard for me to believe that I'm actually 24 weeks along (well, now 25). Here's what's been happening the past two weeks...How far along?: 24 weeks (16 weeks to go!)
(I'm actually 25 weeks today as I do these updates a week behind)Baby is the size of: CantaloupeMaternity Clothes?: Yup! I had to do another round of maternity shopping this past weekend as I was finding I didn't have enough for work...and I desperately needed a new pair of black pants. Thankfully, I found a ton of items for Spring and Summer and some great deals at Thyme Maternity.Symptoms: Movement, movement and more movement, some back aches, shallower belly button, some weird pains every now and again when I go to stand up and a pain when I walk sometimes (like a stitch you get from running - and always on the right side)Sleep: Sleeping has been really good this week! Other than a few very vivid dreams, I can't complain. And Ironically enough, I'm more comfortable now then I was earlier on in my pregnancy. I'm wondering if it's because I can no longer roll onto my stomach. When I was smaller, I would roll over in my sleep and wake up uncomfortable. Now, I simply can't roll onto my tummy. I haven't been using a pillow in between my legs now for a few weeks,Best moment this week: We've had a number of happy/exciting moments in the last couple of weeks!

1) Realizing that 24 weeks = 6 months! Six months! To me, that seems far along and I couldn't believe how quickly time has gone by. Plus, this week marks the week that baby could be delivered at our hospital if I happened to go into labour (knock on wood that I don't though)

2) Going crib shopping with my mom. We found a couple of cribs that we really like. Now husband and I just need to pick out which one we like best.

3) My husband painted the nursery this week. A very lovely light grey color - and we're adding white stripes to one wall.

Here's a couple of photos we've used for inspiration (we're getting a white crib and dresser though):

Highlight from week 22: 22 week doctor's appointment - hearing his little heartbeat never gets old. He's such an active little guy. Just like my ultrasound the doctor had a hard time finding and keeping his little heartbeat on the doppler long enough to count his heartbeat. They ended up basically having to chase him around my tummy to get it. And speaking of moving, this week was the first week we actually saw my belly moving from the outside - what an incredible thing to see!Worst moment this week: We've also had a couple of stressful moments this week (but nothing to do with the baby). We are getting new flooring installed in our house and while this is very exciting everything has had to be moved and right now we're living in chaos. Plus, my stepson is sick with the flu - why do kids seems to get sick at the most inopportune times!Have you told family and friends yet?: Yup - everybody knows now!Miss anything?: Maybe a glass of wine every now and again. Oh and sleeping on my tummy.Movement: Oh yeah.Tons - morning, noon and night but mostly when I'm sitting. And he's kicking super low this week too.Food cravings: Subway. Still.Anything make you queasy or sick?: The smell of raw meats, cooking chickenHave you started to show?: Lol - definitely! I now have a number of people each week ask me how far along I am or when I'm due. Plus, did any other pregnant ladies notice people looking more at them when you were out in public. I seem to be a magnet for wandering eyes!Gender: Boy!Belly button in or out?: In still but it's getting shallower by the day.Wedding rings on or off?: On.Happy or moody most of the time?: Happy with a few moments of stress and worry.Looking forward to: Getting our house back in order after the flooring is finished, getting the stripes painted and buying the crib :)